Roanoke Rapids police are booking several people following a drug bust this morning in the 100 block of Hamilton Street.

“Word’s y’all slingin’ dope like crazy,” one man taken into custody on an unrelated warrant said to a group of people handcuffed on the porch of 135 Hamilton Street.

Chief Jeff Hinton, carrying a G-man like Tommy gun, said the arrests resulted from a lengthy investigation including officer observations and citizen complaints. “It’s been a lot of activity around both these houses.”

One man arrested told officers he was trying to sleep before the 10 a.m. bust. “Y’all weren’t yesterday,” the officer replied.

Several of those handcuffed were eventually let go although it wasn’t immediately clear why.

Officers searched both houses and then carried several men off for booking. Their names or charges were not immediately available.